Gas Liquids Engineering Ltd. (GLE) completed an engineering review of a 60 MMSCF/d very sour (31% H2S) dehydration facility, that was built in 1999. The facility was experiencing numerous leaking valves. The following was observed by GLE:
- The facility was found to be designed with a strong adherence to safety
- Design pressures are consistently high with few spec breaks
- Inlet ESD valves are provided, as are proper control valves per industry standard
- The equipment and piping were all designed in accordance with generally accepted engineering practices and sufficient design margins are present to allow for the very sour (>30% H2S) production gas.
GLE provided the following recommendations:
- Evaluate using a condensate solvent in lieu of DADS to prevent elastomer attack and valve seal failures
- Operate and cycle all plant valves periodically to ensure operation
- Replace seized valves as necessary with gate or globe valves
- Mechanically clean, prime and paint exterior piping
- Heat loop piping within the regeneration gas piping to assist in sulphur melting
- Monitor corrosion of salt bath heater outlet piping, and review salt bath heater coil design criteria
- Replace heater and coil for severe corrosion protection
- Add heat tracing to select equipment around the facility
- Review synchronization of generators
- Insure inlet filters are properly installed in the inlet filter separator